Full Text

reification, hypostatization

christopher hookway

DOI:
10.1111/b.9780631192589.1993.x

Extract

We interpret our world as composed of things or objects. As well as everyday external things and the posits of scientific theory, there are more controversial objects like universals, sense-data, classes and numbers. When we reify objects we accept their existence as distinct things in the world, and this requires us to be able to count them and quantify over them; it also requires us to understand identity statements involving objects of the appropriate kinds. Claims about the existence of particular kinds of objects can be challenged by arguing that we lack criteria for counting them or for evaluating identity statements, and by denying that they contribute to our understanding of our surroundings. See also existence . : From a Logical Point of View ( Cambridge , MA : Harvard University Press , 1953 ), ch. 4 . : Ontological Relativity and Other Essays ( New York : Columbia University Press , 1969 ), ch. 1 . : Theories and Things ( Cambridge , MA : Harvard University Press , 1981 ), ch. 1 . : Pursuit of Truth ( Cambridge , MA : Harvard University Press , 1990 ), ch. 2 . ... log in or subscribe to read full text

Blackwell Publishing and its licensors hold the copyright in all material held in Blackwell Reference Online. No material may be resold or published elsewhere without Blackwell Publishing's written consent, save as authorised by a licence with Blackwell Publishing or to the extent required by the applicable law.